India's opening batsman Gautam Gambhir believes that fitness of a person is interlinked with social surroundings and gymming alone is not enough to maintain it.

New Delhi: Veteran cricketer Gautam Gambhir feels that unless Indians start taking care of their surrounding environment, one cannot expect a healthy and fit India. Gambhir spoke to Ashok Kumar of OneWorld South Asia on the sidelines of FitIndia Conclave in New Delhi to raise awareness about the positive impact of healthy lifestyles. Excerpts from the interview:

OneWorld South Asia: How do you think aping Western lifestyle is weaning Indias away from healthy practices?

Gautam Gambhir: First of all, we have to realise that we can’t compare the West to the East. The food quality and choice regarding the same is different in the West compared to the East.

The most important thing is that we don’t take care of the environment in which we live. Unless you take care of your surrounding environment, you will never be able to have a fit or a healthy India. Healthy life is determined by the quality of food we eat, the air we breathe, in our daily routine.

Training and gymming also will only be helpful if we have a healthy natural environment around us.

OWSA: We have switched from our tradtional diets to the packaged food items these days. How harmful is that to a healthy lifestyle?

Gambhir: Hectic lifestyles have definitely changed the way we dine and drink these days. Nowadays people are working in corporate houses and have hectice schedules, therefore, they have to depend on the packaged food.

One can consciously pick what is healthy and suitable to one’s body and needs from the array of items available on the retailer’s shelf instead of making it an excuse for leading an unhealthy life.

OWSA: How can individuals like young girls and boys contribute to a healthy ecosystem?

Gambhir: Every individual including the youngsters should try to keep ther environment neat and clean by trying not to pollute the air.

You cannot have a healthy India by inhaling polluted air. People have to realise the importance of individual initiatvies that will also work for common good. Keeping the natural resources like water and air clean should be everybody’s responsibility.

People should take initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' (Clean India Mission) very seriously and act on making it successful.

OWSA: How can people stay fit in their daily life?

Gambhir: One should be aware of the fact that fitness is related to what one eats and drink. Therefore, one should not compromise on healthy food. Regular exercise and clean environment should keep everyone fit and healthy.